Patti LuPone Pays Tribute to Broadway Understudies and COVID Safety Officers at 2022 Tonys
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Patti LuPone is a three-time Tony Award winner!
The actress and singer, 73, nabbed the trophy for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical at the 75th Tony Awards on Sunday, for her role as Joanne in Company.
In her impassioned acceptance speech, LuPone first thanked the audience before her before expressing her gratitude to her work colleagues, who she said are an "honor to work with every night."
Continuing to thank behind-the-scenes personnel, LuPone then celebrated "all of the understudies across all of the stages in New York, and to all of the COVID safety people" — both groups who have helped bring Broadway back after its 18 month shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
The star concluded her message, adding: "I love you all. Thank you."
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Bruce Glikas/Getty From L to R: Etai Benson, Patti LuPone, Katrina Lenk, Matt Doyle, Christopher Sieber and Terence Archie in Company
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For the honor, LuPone beat out Jeannette Bayardelle (Girl from the North Country), Shoshana Bean (Mr. Saturday Night), Jayne Houdyshell (The Music Man) and L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop), as well as her Company costar Jennifer Simard.
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This marks LuPone's third Tony after she previously won best actress in a musical for her roles in Evita (1980) and Gypsy (2008).
The nomination is also LuPone's eighth career nod total for theater's biggest honor, among her two wins.
Company is up for nine Tonys, including one for best musical revival. Directed by Marianne Elliott, who also won on Sunday night, the production has earned acclaim for its gender-twisting take on George Furth's tale, casting a woman (Tony winner Katrina Lenk) in the lead role of Bobbie for the first time.
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Oscar winner and former Tony nominee Ariana DeBose is hosting the 75th show, which is currently airing live coast-to-coast from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on both CBS and Paramount+.
In the highly coveted category of best new musical, Girl From the North Country, MJ The Musical, Mr. Saturday Night, Paradise Square, SIX: The Musical and A Strange Loop will all compete for the top prize.
Additionally, Angela Lansbury received the 2022 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, marking her sixth Tony.
The 2022 Tony Awards are currently airing live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on CBS and Paramount+.
